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OF THE POISON OF SIN
TALE XI.
OF THE POISON OF SIN.
Alexander was a prince of great power, and a disciple of Aristotle, who instructed him in every branch of polite learning. The Queen of the North having heard of his proficiency, nourished her daughter from the cradle upon a certain kind of deadly poison; and when she grew up, she was considered so beautiful, that the sight of her alone affected many with madness. The Queen sent her to Alexander to espouse. He had no sooner beheld her, than he became violently enamoured, and with much eagerness desired to possess her; but Aristotle, observing his weakness, said—"Do not touch her, for if you do you will certainly perish. She has been nurtured upon the most deleterious food, which I will prove to you imme-
